Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Every child needs a few travel books on their shelves to spark a love of adventure. The best travel books for kids explore other cultures, tales of adventure, and stories of dramatic landscapes, and improve kids’ understanding of the world and their place in it.
Below you can find many suggestions for the best children’s travel books broken up into different categories. With 3 growing kids in our own home, we’ve made a point to read as many travel books for kids as we can and we’re share our favorites in the list below.
The list below of the best kids’ travel books includes picture travel books for toddlers and young kids as well as more complex books and short chapter books for older kids. If you are looking for the best travel books for teens and tweens, check out this post: The 10 Best Travel Books for Teens to Inspire Adventure.
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Best General Adventure and Travel Books for Kids
Join Madlenka as she wanders around the streets of New York City but really explores places all around the world. Madlenka experiences the rich mixing pot of the city and the people and places her neighbors have come from in this clever book.
This is a wonderful travel book for everyone! The book covers all the US National Parks and shares stories, animal facts, plants,,, and the history of each of the parks. Inspire your kids for a summer road trip! Remember all 4th graders in the US get a US National Parks Pass, which is the perfect excuse to get out and explore.
This classic kid’s travel book is less about going to specific places, and more about the journey of the adventure. Instill the idea that the world is out there to explore!
This beautiful book explores the imaginary world of a young girl on an epic journey. While the places aren’t real, this is the perfect book for kids who love adventure and fantasy.
Best Travel Book for Kids: Culture and History
Molly and the Magic Suitcase Series
In each book, Molly and Michael explore a different part of the world with the help of Molly’s Magic Suitcase. A good introduction to each place for young kids.
What do kids see from their windows around the world? This book explores what do children see from their windows in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. This
Explore Scotland with this silly book about Hamish the Hairy Haggis. This is a good one for the adults too!
Best Children’s Books about Travel: Places and Animals
This book is full of beautiful maps of places around the world. Through the maps, you can explore animals, history, culture, and so much more. This book is wonderful for many ages and is a family travel book everyone can enjoy.
This is a fun and exciting book about places all around the world. You can find some activities and challenges in the book and find new places to add to your list of places to explore.
The Travel Book Lonely Planet Kids
Lonely Planet puts out amazing travel booking and their kid’s version is no exception. This book briefly explores every country in the world including some territories. The Lonely Planet Kids’s Travel Book includes maps, photos and enticing text.
Best Chapter Books About Travel for Kids
Rick Riordan has written a series of books that are perfect for exploring the culture of other places, specifically mythology. This is a fun book to read to get some background in mythology in a fun wa
This book series follows Jack and Annie as they take their magic treehouse around the world and through time. Explore the history, culture, and environment of real places throughout history and inspire a new sense of wonder in your kids. We loved this series!
Best Travel Books for Toddlers and Babies
Best for kids ages K-3rd grade. This book follows Arinze as she travels with her family over the amazing continent of Africa.
What do You See Around the World, a Look and Find Book
A look in find book for the youngest with vibrant pictures from around the world.
Little Traveler Board Book Set
This small series of books has pictures from around the world to introduce the youngest travelers to the world of travel. If you are looking for travel books for kids, this series is a great one to start with.
A sweet little book about hiking a mountain. This book is great for preschool and kindergarten-age kids and is perfect for inspiring your next travel and hiking adventure.
Best Activity Travel Books for Kids
Sometimes the best travel books for kids are interactive with puzzles, challenges and more. The books below are all great options if you are looking for something to explore the world of travel and many of these books are excellent options for taking with you on your next trip.
Tips for Reading Travel Books with your Kids
Reading travel books with your kids can be a fantastic way to introduce them to new cultures, broaden their horizons, and ignite their sense of adventure. Here are eight tips to make the most of this experience:
- Choose Age-Appropriate Books: Select travel books that are suitable for your child’s age and reading level. Look for books with engaging illustrations and easy-to-understand language for younger children, and more detailed content for older kids.
- Incorporate Interactive Maps: Use maps to help your kids visualize the locations mentioned in the book. You can point out the countries, cities, and landmarks on a globe or map while reading. This will make the places come alive for them. Maps can be abstract for younger kids so keep it simple.
- Plan Related Activities: Coordinate activities that relate to the destinations in the book. This could include cooking a dish from the region, trying out local crafts, or even learning a few basic phrases in the language spoken there.
- Discuss Cultural Differences: Encourage discussions about the cultural differences and similarities between your child’s own culture and the places described in the book. This can help your child develop empathy and cultural awareness.
- Keep a Travel Journal: Have your child keep a travel journal or scrapbook while reading. They can draw pictures, jot down interesting facts, or write about what they would like to do if they ever visit the place.
- Watch Documentaries or Films: Enhance the reading experience by watching documentaries or films about the destinations featured in the book. This multimedia approach can make the places and cultures even more captivating.
- Create a Reading Routine: Establish a reading routine, such as reading a chapter from the travel book before bedtime or on weekends. Consistency helps maintain your child’s interest in the book.
- Encourage Questions and Exploration: Invite your child to ask questions about the places they read about and explore those questions together. You can also visit local museums, cultural events, or international restaurants to further pique their curiosity.
Reading travel books with your kids not only fosters a love for reading but also exposes them to the wonders of the world, promotes curiosity, and helps them understand and appreciate diverse cultures. It’s an enriching and educational experience that can create lasting memories.
Did I miss your favorite travel books for children? Leave a comment and share your favorite books about the world for kids below.
